A24, which released “Moonlight,” announced Thursday that it has acquired worldwide rights to “Native Son” with a new adaptation written by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks. Conceptual artist Rashid Johnson, who has worked across media to explore ideas about African American identity, will make his feature directing debut.

“A24 is active with some of the best filmmakers and films today,” said Johnson. “We’re excited to have a partner that shares our enthusiasm for this amazing and deeply complicated material. We look forward to working with them to bring Richard Wright’s powerful story to life.

While the 2019 race may feel like a distant prospect, the recent Sundance and Berlin festivals have kick-started murmurings about potential contenders, and already talk is turning to which releases could be leading the conversation come next year’s awards season.

Based on James Baldwin’s novel, the film stars KiKi Layne as Tish, “a newly engaged Harlem woman who races against the clock to prove her lover’s innocence while carrying their first-born child. It is a celebration of love told through the story of a young couple, their families and their lives, trying to bring about justice through love, for love and the promise of the American dream.”

“Beale Street” is the first movie for Jenkins since “Moonlight” won the best picture Academy Award. The film marks the first feature under the production pact between Pastel and Annapurna and is also part of Plan B’s production

Jenkins adapted the James Baldwin novel, set in 1970s Harlem, and follows young engaged couple Fonny and Tish. When Fonny is falsely accused of rape, Tish, who is pregnant with their child, races to find evidence that will prove Fonny's innocence.

“Beale Street” is the first movie for Jenkins since “Moonlight” won the best picture Academy Award. Domingo plays the father of Layne’s character who makes his daughter’s crusade his own.

The film marks the first feature under the production pact between Pastel and Annapurna and is also part of Plan B’s production deal with Annapurna. Jenkins has been working closely with the Baldwin Estate to write the screenplay, and production

Barry Jenkins’ next project might have found its leads, but that doesn’t mean it’s done searching for talent. The film, which stars new actor Kiki Layne opposite Stephen James as the two leads, is looking for actors to bring its 1970s NYC scenes to life. The story follows “Tish, a newly engaged Harlem woman who races against the clock to prove her lover’s innocence while carrying their firstborn child to term. It is a celebration of love told through the story of a young couple, their families and their lives, trying to bring about justice through love, for love, and the promise of the American dream.” Cindy Tolan is handling principal casting for the project. The James Baldwin novel adaptation is seeking union and nonunion background actors. Male and female talent, aged 18 and older, of all races are needed to portray Puerto Rican club goers and neighborhood residents in the film.

Greenlit means a project is officially a go, so all you have to do is follow these leads to stay up to date. You never know where you’ll find an opportunity to land an audition! Here's what you should know about projects that are moving along. Amy Poehler is Headed to Netflix (well, sort of)Netflix has put a comedy from Poehler, Leslye Headland, and Natasha Lyonne into development, and all three women are producing the project. Currently untitled, it will be an eight part series that follows a woman who can’t escape a New York City party where she’s an honoree. Lyonne will star in the project, but no other names are attached. If history serves, Headland might go with a frequent CD collaborator. More details here. Barry Jenkins’ next project has its leadsNewcomer Kiki Layne will star opposite Stephen James in “If Beale Street Could Talk.

Greenlit means a project is officially a go, so all you have to do is follow these leads to stay up to date. You never know where you’ll find an opportunity to land an audition! Barry Jenkins searched far and wide to find the lead for his screen treatment of James Baldwin’s novel, “If Beale Street Could Talk.” After beginning auditions earlier this summer, the Oscar-winning director landed on newcomer Kiki Layne for the starring role of Tish. The team, including casting director Cindy Tolan (“Straight Outta Compton,” “This is Where I Leave You”), saw more than 300 women for the role, but when Layne came into the room in recent weeks, Jenkins saw something different in the young actor. The story features “Tish, a newly engaged Harlem woman who races against the clock to prove her lover’s innocence while carrying their firstborn child to term. It is

The filmmakers auditioned more than 300 women for the role and began their search in earnest earlier this summer. Layne, who auditioned in recent weeks, immediately won over Jenkins, who was blown away by her reading.

“We saw hundreds of young women and while many were artists with gifts we admired, Kiki Layne’s ability to showcase a rich interior life ultimately won the day,” Jenkins said of the casting. “I absolutely adore working with her and cannot wait to have her join us in translating Baldwin’s vision of this heroine to the screen.”

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